Surgical traction frame



Sept. 8, 1936;

F. O. WELLINGTON SURGICAL TRACT ION FRAME Filed May 22, 1955 5Sheets-Shet 2 awuentoz 5Q WELL/NGTOA/ Sept. 8, 1936. O WELLlNGTON 42,053,753

SURGICAL TRACTION FRAME Filed May 22, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 PatentedSept. 8, 1936 UNETED STATES PATENT orries 1 Claim.

The invention relates to a new and improved surgical apparatus for usein the reduction and treatment of fractures, the nature of the inventionbeing similar to the so-called Balkan frame.

It has for years been the practice of surgeons in treating fractures toerect a frame structure of wood over the patients bed, from which tosuspend the required sheave blocks for pull lines leading from thefractured. member or members to the weight or weights for extension andtension. These improvised rigs have been unsatisfactory due largely tothe difiiculty of properly locating and maintaining the desired pointsof suspension for the blocks.

My invention aims to provide a new and improved surgical tractionapparatus in; which this difiiculty is overcome, and with this object inview, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafterdescribed and claimed, description being accomplished by reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the general relation ofparts.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the turntables El andassociated structural features.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the turntable andassociated elements shown in Fig. 3.

A preferred construction has been illustrated and will be ratherspecifically described, with the understanding however, that within thescope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made.

The entire frame structure which is adjustable to fit beds of differentlengths and widths, is constructed from metal tubing or otherappropriate metal frame members, and metal clamping means for securingthe frame members together. I prefer to use transversely square tubingfor all of the posts, rails, sheave-supporting arms, etc., and clampingmeans employed in connection with these parts are of such constructionas to engage all four sides thereof to insure tenacious holding.

I provide four corner posts 29 for disposition at the four corners ofthe usual hospital bed B, said posts being of a height to project to thedesired distance above the bed. These posts are provided with supportingcasters 2| and with inwardly projecting brackets 22 upon which to restthe usual corner posts 23 of the bed B. Preferably each bracket 22 is ofshelf-like form and is integral with a square frame 24, said framesurrounding the lower end of its respecthe upper ends of the cornerposts 20 to hold said ends in fixed relation with the bed. The rails 28may well support any desired number of suspension rails, for instance,one rail 3! for a sheave block 32 and another rail 33 for a trapeze 34,each of these suspension rails being adjustably secured to the rails 28by novel clamps 35.

sheave-supporting arms 36 are adjustably carried by turntables 31 andclamps 38 are provided for connecting any desired number of thesetm'ntables with the corner posts 29. In the present showing, one of thearms 36 carries a twin sheave block 39 and another carries a singlesheave block 40, both blocks being adjustably connected with the arms ashereinafter explained.

Elongated clamps 4| are provided, the ends of these clamps being adaptedto engage and hold pull straps 42 for horizontally pulling a patientsinjured limb or limbs. Connected with one of the clamps 4|, centrallybetween the ends of said clamps, is a pull cable 43 which is trainedover the pulley 40 and is connected with a weight holder 44 carrying oneor more weights 45. Connected to another of the clamps 4!, is a sheaveblock 46 which is pivoted to said clamp as shown at 41.

A clamp 48 has been illustrated to engage the ends of a sling 49, orpossibly pull straps. One end of a pull cable 50 is connected with theclamp 48 by a bridle or the like 5 i. This cable passes upwardly andover the sheave of the block 32, extends downwardly and around the uppersheave of the twin block 39, extends horizontally and around the sheaveof the block 45, extends again horizontally and over the lower sheave ofthe block 39. extends downwardly from the latter and is connected with aweight holder 44' wh ch is identical with the holder 44, said holder 44being provided with any desired number of weights For supporting thesheave block 32, a suitable contractable collar 19 is adjustably carriedby the suspension rail 3|, being provided with a thumb nut 80 andassociated stud for contracting it and.

holding it in adjusted position. Collar 19 is provided with an eye 8|for suspending the sheave 32, said eye being preferably swiveled.

Two suitable collars 82 may surround the suspension rail 33 to supportthe trapeze 34.

The clamp 38 which mounts the turntable 3'! upon the corner post 29, ispreferably of the construction shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4,being provided with wing nuts 83 for applying and releasing it. Thisclamp, in the present showing is rigid with a transversely split ring 81 which surrounds the turntable 3'! and may be contracted tonon-rotatably hold said turntable, by means of a suitable clamping screw85. The turntable preferably comprises top and bottom plates 86 and 81,and a cylindrical side Wall 88, the parts 86 and 89 being preferablyintegral with each other. Both plates 86 and 81 engage the edges of thering 84 to prevent vertical movement of the turntable with respect tosaid ring 84.

The top plate 89 is provided with two channelshaped seats 39 for the arm36 and is formed with an opening 99 between said seats. A clamping yoke9i surrounds the arm 36 between the seats 89 and is provided with ashank 92 which passes downwardly through the opening and through anopening in the bottom plate 81, being provided at its lower end with athumb nut 93. After sliding of the arm 36 to the desired position, itmay be held in said position by tightening the nut 93. After swingingthe arm 36 to any desired advantageous position, it may be held bytightening the screw 85. Thus, the sheave 39 or 49 or any otheraccessory or the like carried by the arm 36 may be adjusted to the mostadvantageous position.

For connecting the sheave 49 with the arm 36, a collar 79' identicalwith the collar 19 may well be employed. For connecting the doublesheave block 39 with the arm, acontractable collar 94 and aclevis 95 areemployed, said clevis being pivoted on a vertical axis 96 to said collar94 and being pivoted on a horizontal axis 91 to the central portion ofthe sheave block 39. This connection between the sheave block and thecollar permits any requisite movement of said sheave block withoutthrowing the pull cable 58 out of proper relation therewith.

It will be seen from the foregoing that novel provision has been madefor attaining the desired end. While a preferred construction has beenillustrated, attention is again invited to the possibility of makingnumerous variations within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

In a surgical traction frame, a split ring having a post-engaging clampprojecting horizontally therefrom for rigidly supporting the ring, aturntable comprising a side wall surrounded by said ring, a top plateintegral with said side wall and lying upon the upper edge of said ring,and a bottom plate separate from said side wall and lying against thelower edge of said ring, said top and bottom plates each having acentral opening, said top plate being provided with two upwardly facingseats at opposite sides of its central opening, an arm lying upon saidseats, a bolt passing through the central openings of said top andbottom plates and having an eye surrounding said arm, a nut threadedupon the lower end of said bolt and abutting said bottom plate to holdsaid top and bottom plates engaged with the edges of said split ring andto hold said arm engaged with said seats, and means for contracting saidsplit ring to hold the turntable normally against rotation.

FRANK O. WELLINGTON.

